I Love You, Michael Collins

This book started off weird, slow, and hard to get in to. My third grader wasn’t really into bedtime reading when we were on this book, but we continued on. About half way through it picked up, and by the end we couldn’t put it down. What a beautiful story, that I may have teared up over at the end ;). My third grader could not read this on his own, so I read it to him. He is a little behind on reading, so I think this would be a good challenge for most third graders. All three of my boys loved that they got to try Tang and TV dinners as a result of this book lol. I personally enjoyed learning more about Apollo 11. I didn’t know much, and this was a really great and unique way to learn about it!

I can't say enough about this book, which I love so much that I've read it twice (and I'm an adult, lol!). This is a perfect historical fiction novel for children 8-12, set during the space race of the 1960s and the first walk on the Moon. Written in epistolary style, it opens up wonderful discussion points for parents and teachers alike. It's just beautiful, and I love Mamie and how she "stayed with the ship." A lovely story about a feisty, smart, independent girl who cares deeply for her family and best friend.

This is a great book. I did this as a read-aloud with my kids when we were doing a unit study on Space several years ago. We borrowed it from the library but we loved it so much we had to have our own copy. I gave it to them as a Valentine gift. This is a favorite of theirs and they still talk about it. Sadly, most people don’t even know who Michael Collins was in history. We only ever hear about Buzz and Neil.

LOVED this book! It was recommended by my 10 year old grand daughter and I loved all the life lessons in this book.... Facing your fear, working hard, staying the course, and the importance of family and friends. I grew up during the space race and it brought back so many memories. Well written and a great book for all ages. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

This is a well thought out book that follows a young girl through the summer of 1969 when the US was headed to the moon. The girl gets the writing assignment in school before summer break, but continues writing to astronaut Michael Collins through the moon landing. She uses the letters as a story of diary of her summer. I enjoyed following her trials and tribulations.

If you, like me, lived through the Eisenhower presidency in the 50s, what you might remember best about First Lady Mamie were her short c;lipped bangs. Not much else. She would be totally eclipsed by her successor, Jackie Kennedy in all our minds. But author Lauren Baratz-Logsted has created the most memorable ten-year-old girl, Mamie for her readers in her novel, I Love You, Michael Collins. Named after the First Lady, Mamie takes us down a memory lane set in 1969, that July when a trio of astronauts made it all the way to the moon. In a rich soup of Tang, Froot Loops, and TV dinners, the author brings1969 to life for us as Mamie struggles to survive her parents "both acting like crazy little kids." By writing a series of letters to her idol, Michael Collins, the astronaut who will not walk on the moon with Armstrong and Aldrin, but circle the moon, waiting for them, Mamie describes and deals with the jettisoning of all of her family and even her cat Campbell, one by one as she is left alone in her home to sink or swim with only her friend, Buster. Themes of risk, loneliness, friendship, and survival come together to push Mamie to realize that she "can do anything," that she "stayed with the ship" just like Collins. This is a charming, yet realistic telling of that July day as President Nixon said when "for one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people of this Earth are truly one." Or as Mamie says to Michael Collins, "You give us hope." I cannot think of a better book to share with kids on this 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. Baratz-Logsted's words do indeed "describe what it is like to witness a miracle firsthand."

This wonderful book brings to light the importance of the one person who makes the sacrifices to stay behind for the greater good. Baratz-Logsted uses the story of the Apollo 11 space mission to weave a touching story, as told through the letters written by a young girl, about family and friendship that captivates the reader. This young adult book is a perfect selection for any classroom teacher. I'm buying a copy to send in to my daughter's fifth grade class! Two thumbs up!

I used it for a project for school called Odyessy. I loved the book. I learned a 3rd astronaut, Michael Collins, stayed on the ship while the 2 others walked on the moon for the first time. It was very interesting. It is a great historical fiction book based on true events. It was amazing. I definitely recommend this book to anyone.